Bigelow Hollow State Park

The view from an isolated picnic site on Mashapaug Pond in Bigelow Hollow State Park.

The view from an isolated picnic site on Mashapaug Pond in Bigelow Hollow State Park. (DIEGO CUPOLO)

DIEGO CUPOLOSpecial to ctnow.com

Ever had sand kicked in your face while trying to relax at a crammed beach where you end up way too close to your neighbors? If you prefer a truly peaceful summer day trip, Bigelow Hollow State Park awaits in the small country town of Union.

With several ponds on more than 9,000 acres, Bigelow Hollow and the bordering Nipmuck State Forest offer vast terrain for swimming, picnicking, hiking, boating and fishing.

The park sits on the Massachusetts border, so it may be a bit of a drive for some visitors, but the scenery is enough to compensate. Don't forget to bring a camera, as many of the trails and overlooks into the ponds are inspiring.

The park is big enough for visitors to find isolated waterfront picnic tables where a group can settle down throughout the day and never feel the presence of other people. Throw in some small isolated picnic areas, and there's a spot in this park for everyone.

Hikers will find numerous trails reaching from 18-acre Bigelow Pond to 88-acre Breakneck Pond and the 300-acre Mashapaug Pond. Some of these trails also reach other picnic areas farther from parking lots. If you're in for a challenge, check out the loop around Breakneck Pond, which covers at least six hilly miles that will reward you with striking overlooks of water and forests.

Many visitors take advantage of the boat launch into Mashapaug Pond, where they fish for trout, perch, bass, pickerel and sunfish. Scuba divers sometimes visit rock formations that stand in the middle of the pond, attracting a rich mix of turtles, fish and other pond life.

The bottom line is you will not find many places in Connecticut as peaceful and welcoming as Bigelow Hollow State Park. The experience of swimming in the crisp, clean water and sitting in the cool, silent shade is one you won't soon forget.

About the writer: Diego Cupolo is a senior at the University of
Connecticut, where he is studying journalism and
communication sciences. He works hard at the UConn
student newspaper, the Daily Campus, and parties even
harder every weekend. The road is home to Diego, as he
is always searching for new experiences and loves to
see new places.